Loudoun Deputy Wins Top State Award

Loudoun Deputy First Class Colin Whittington has been named the 2019 Virginia Deputy Sheriff of the Year.

The award recognizes outstanding performance, unwavering passion and commitment, and problem-solving to improve the quality of life for citizens.

“Deputy Whittington’s professional demeanor, enthusiastic attitude, integrity, and work ethic is an example of the highest level of professionalism of Virginia’s law enforcement personnel,” stated Sheriff Mike Chapman, who made the nomination. “He is highly regarded by his peers and command staff which is reflective in his many accomplishments.”

Whittington, an Ashburn resident, joined the agency in 2015 as a patrol deputy. He has served as a community resource deputy at the Ashburn Station and currently serves in the Media Relations and Communications Section as a public information officer.

As part of his work in the Ashburn Station, Whittington initiated an alcohol enforcement operation, which involved collaboration with command staff members, restaurants, management, legal counsel, and the Virginia Department Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority to deter disorderly conduct and alcohol offenses in a highly frequented business establishment. The incidents prior to this initiative included calls for service for assaults and numerous intoxicated persons. The effort resulted in a significant decrease in arrests and has been well received by management and patrons, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Deputy First Class Colin Whittington[LCSO Whittington has also been recognized by the agency and the community for his outreach efforts and lifesaving actions. In 2017, he was recognized during Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce Valor Awards with Lifesaving Awards for two rescue responses. On June 19, 2017, he was first to arrive at the home of a reported unconscious person where he discovered a man lying on the kitchen floor. He initiated CPR and the man regained a pulse and was transported to the hospital.

Six months later, he responded to a call at a Chantilly home where a one-year-old infant had stopped breathing. He began to perform CPR and the child was resuscitated and transported to an area hospital where the child’s pulse and breathing were maintained, although the baby died several days later.

Whittington also has been an active participant with the agency’s annual Child Safety Day, as well as the Books-and-Badges and Coffee with a Cop programs and had provided ride-a-longs to educate members of the community.

Whittington will receive the award during annual Virginia Sheriffs’ Association Conference in September